Veteran gardener returns to show

Dic James and Enfys Rennie are taking part in the show

An 89-year-old gardener is hoping to pick up prizes for his vegetables at a village show after entering for the 74th successive year.

Dic James is exhibiting at the Llanilar Show, near Aberystwyth, which is marking its centenary this year.

Mr James, who first took part the show as a teenager, has entered 80 different sections this year.

He is hoping to add to his array of cups won at past Llanilar shows.

The agricultural show takes place on Saturday.

"Gardening is a real hobby of mine and I feel proud that I've exhibited for 74 years," said Mr James, who lives in Llanilar.

"I really got into gardening when I was a young lad.

"One night, I was supposed to go to a dance when I heard that a man was giving a lecture about gardening in the village.

"I decided to go and listen to him and when I arrived the room was full of people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s.

"The man giving the talk was amazed that such a young lad had come to listen and everyone clapped.

"From then on I really got into gardening."

'Excellent gardener'

Mr James added: "One year at Llanilar Show I won 47 prizes out of 53 entries. This year I'm entering 80 exhibits.

"I've won more prizes than I can count.

"My daughter, Enfys, has helped me this year and she's an excellent gardener, much better than I am.

"I've entered onions, broad beans, peas, runner beans, marrows, parsnips, carrots and flowers, among other things."

And Mr James had words of advice for aspiring gardeners.

Llanilar Show inspired the first Royal Welsh Show

"Hard work," said Mr James.

"There's no easy way round gardening."

Mr James' daughter, Enfys Rennie, said: "I've helped dad this year and we started back in February marking out the garden.

"I love the garden and spend all my time in it.

"I've learned a lot off dad over the years, I was always pottering about with him and my mum when I was young."

Llanilar Show secretary Neville Jones praised Mr James's dedication.

"It's quite an achievement and a great joy to him that his daughter has green fingers too," he said.

Mr Jones added that Llanilar Show and the nearby Talybont Show inspired the first Royal Welsh Show held in Aberystwyth in 1904.